Gus Poyet says Sunderland need to lighten the load on Adam Johnson and has hit back at those fans who criticised his decision to substitute the winger.

On the face off it taking off his top goalscorer to replace him with Mikael Mandron, a youngster making his first appearance under Poyet, seemed an odd move as the Black Cats chased an undeserved point at home to Liverpool.

Yet after the 1-0 defeat, Poyet criticised those who questioned his decision.

The Uruguayan said: “People do not have a clue.

“I don’t care if what they think because if Mika scores you do not ask me that question (about whether the substitution should have been made).

“It is very easy when the game is over.

“I think it was the right decision It was at the point where he (Johnson) could not go past people because he was so tired.”

Johnson’s four league goals this season make him Sunderland’s top-scorer along with Steven Fletcher, who missed the game through injury.

The Easington-born player has too often this term been the Black Cats’ only attacking player or real quality but Poyet revealed his preparation for the game had been far from ideal.

Sunderland's Adam Johnson (Image: PA Wire)

He added: “Adam was tired. He had become a father (last week) and had not trained for two days.

“He wanted to play but he had to go back too much.

“Sometimes we are a bit unfair with him and give him all the responsibility.

“We need to share the responsibilities to go forward and create something.

“Someone needs to stand up and not always AJ.”

Danny Graham could be given that chance after also coming off the bench at the weekend.

Until his 77th-minute introduction, Graham’s only football under Poyet had been a two-minute cameo at home to Stoke City in the League Cup.

Wigan Athletic are interested in taking the striker on loan for the rest of the season but, with no replacement yet lined up and interest in Jozy Altidore from America’s Major League Soccer, it might not be Graham’s final appearance for the Black Cats.

Poyet denied his previous refusal to pick the forward was down to anything other than football.

“I am pleased for him,” he said after Graham’s first Premier League appearance since New Year’s Day 2014.

“I always say depending on what you do you will have a chance. It is not me liking him or not wanting him. It is up to the players.

“Danny was there for what he has been doing so we will see if he plays this week.”